Al-Musleh, A M (2011) Development of a framework for total quality management principles in the construction companies with special reference to the construction companies in the state of Qatar. PhD thesis, Queen Mary University of London, UK.
Abstract
An increased demand of quality in the construction industry has been a major cause of finding new systems and developing frameworks that are fit for purpose. Construction companies around the world are trying to increase their productivity and index of quality and they are developing new methodologies through research and development. Though innovation is, never completely good or bad and it is not easy to analyse the net effect. Theories and empirical research on materials, technology and innovation have been produced more than 100 years. In this, the framework for management and innovations of processes in construction industry has attracted the most interest, while other areas, such as the combination of technologies, construction companies' life cycles in Qatar and regulatory process have also been researched in detail. This research work has identified and addresses the important issues related to the implantation of Total Quality Management (TQM) in the construction sector in the State of Qatar. The main aim of the study is to develop and present to the construction companies in Qatar a new model that could not only improve the understanding of Total Quality Management (TQM) within their sector, but also help in developing the processes, procedures and operations by employing TQM framework in all sections of a company. Therefore, this thesis suggests a model based on existing and new quality management framework in Construction industry in Qatar. Furthermore, this thesis is a combination of the collected knowledge in different research traditions, and of observed studies of the Qatar Construction industry. The aim is to give a complete picture of the materials, technology, regulatory process and innovation and to provide a theoretical model, which can be used for existing and new management framework that may be implemented in the industry that has been referred as 'client' in this study. This study examined one of the largest construction companies in Qatar as a case study to identify the current status and to highlight current barriers faced by construction companies in the implementation of Total Quality Management (TQM) philosophy. European Foundation Quality Management (EFQM) elements, identified through the iii TQM concept in the literature review, are used as a data collection framework while both the qualitative and quantitative methodologies are used to measure the level of perceptions among employees of the 'client' construction company towards those elements. Moreover, the Critical Success Factors (CSFs) are reviewed based on previous studies in the literature review. The findings of this thesis suggest that TQM can be successfully implemented among Qatar?s construction companies. The conclusions and recommendations are drawn from the best practice of TQM implementation as a guideline for the client construction company to consider in adopting the TQM philosophy. Furthermore, a framework has been suggested for the Client recommending the actions the Client should take to establish and implement a TQM framework, which will increase productivity, stream line the processes and improves the quality of the services and the products offered by the client.
| Item Type: | Thesis (Doctoral) |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | best practice; case study; critical success factor; Europe; innovation; life cycle; materials; productivity; Qatar; quality management; total quality management |
| Index terms: | implementation, quality management, construction industry, Qatar, best practice, life cycle, productivity, case study, Europe, critical success factor, construction sector, methodology, stream, research and development, construction company, philosophy, literature review, total quality management |
| Subjects: | data analysis and analytics, contractual arrangements, evaluation methods, data collection methods, business, organization, value management, control systems, research management, philosophical studies, industry analysis, quality assurance, physical geography and landforms, management, research methods, water management, Geography |
| Topics: | Project Management, Geographical Context, Procurement, Sustainability, Quality Management, Research Practice, Business Strategy |
| Descriptive scope: | 5 PCTEA |
N.B. Descriptive scope is a count of how many of the five facets of empirical research are indicated by the words used in title, abstract and keywords. It is not intended as a judgement on the research; merely a count of the kind of word we would expect to indicate Phenomenon, Concepts, Theoretical framing, Empirical techniques, Analytical techniques. If all five are present, then a code of “5 PCTEA” will indicate this. If you feel the coding for this record is questionable, we welcome discussion around the terms we matched or the way we categorized them. The facet you would expect may not be coded, or a facet may be coded inappropriately. This can also bear on a larger question, of which facets should be treated as defining in construction management research. Please get in touch, and we will look at it. More details here